RTA inks agreement with Uber to provide online booking services

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Wednesday, January 11, 2017

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a cooperation agreement with Uber Technologies, the international pioneer in the technology of linking riders with drivers by one click, to study offering new products in the economic transit to support Dubai Vision 2021. The agreement is about fulfilling the needs of customers and provide them with transportation solutions at a reasonable rate in a way that contributes to reduce the number of vehicles on roads. It also addresses the online booking service of limousines and taxicabs, whereby Uber will offer luxurious transport services (limousines) via online and smart Apps channels. The service will be run according to the laws governing the operation of taxis and limousines in Dubai emirate. Uber will deploy 14,000 vehicles including 9841 taxis and 4700 limousines.

HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) signed the agreement on behalf of RTA, and Mr. Anthony Khoury, Regional Manager of UBER in the Middle East signed it on behalf of Uber. Attendees at the signing ceremony were Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla, Board Member cum Chair of the Dubai Taxi Corporation Council, Abdullah Yousef Al Ali, CEO of Public Transport Agency, Nasser Hamad BuShehab, CEO of Strategy and Corporate Services Sector and Chair of the Higher Committee of Follow-up and Regulation of Vehicles Booking via Call or Electronic Media, Adel Shakri, Director of Transport Systems, and Mr. Christopher Frye, General Manager, Uber in the UAE.

“This initiative signals the keenness of RTA to implement the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to rank Dubai as the smartest city world-wide since smart mobility is one of the key elements of smart cities. The agreement with Uber offers a new service for residents and visitors who wish to move around Dubai by taxis and limousines. This contributes to realizing people’s happiness, providing quality services for tourists and enhancing customers’ experience. RTA, in cooperation with Uber is considering the deployment of new mobility options to cater to the needs of customers in Dubai emirate and reduce vehicles on the roads,” said Al Tayer.

“According to the agreement, Uber would deploy more than 14,000 taxis and limousines in Dubai via its smart App as per the laws governing the operation of taxis and limousines in Dubai emirate, highlighted by dealing with vehicles licensed for this type of business and chauffeurs trained on limo service, and working together to search and study the feasibility of finding an economic transit solution to support Dubai Vision 2021 and its innovative strategy,” added Al Tayer.

“This agreement supports the Integrated Mobility Platform Project in Dubai Project, which is currently being implemented by RTA. The Platform enables customers to access all means of transport in Dubai through a single window (Smart App), where RTA’s transit services (metro, tram, buses, marine transport, and taxis) are integrated with other transport means on offer by the other parties in Dubai such as limousine companies, Palm Monorail, and Dubai Trolley,” elaborated Al Tayer. He underlined RTA’s keenness to forge partnership with the private sector, invite all online booking companies to realize the objective of offering excellent smart services to customers.

Anthony Khoury, Regional Directory of Uber Middle East said "We are committed to working with RTA on launching a more accessible Uber service for riders, and further adapting our innovative solutions to Dubai.”

“We had a shared vision for jointly developing a world class economy solution that addresses the transport needs of the city and its ambitions towards becoming a global tourist and business hub. We look forward to the results of the study and to working with RTA on making Dubai a city that sets the standard for global innovation in the transport industry.”